Commending the Voyages Program and its Creator and Director Ray Turner

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RESOLUTION NO. � 3 Z L--I A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND PUBLICLY COMMENDING THE VOYAGES PROGRAM AND ITS CREATOR AND DIRECTOR RAY TURNER fie, the South Bend Common Council notes that the Voyages program has just completed its eighteenth (18 "') year of operation and has received ongoing encouragement and financial support from Memorial Hospital of South Bend; and Qfig;we, Ray L. Turner, a school social worker, developed and proposed the Voyages Program in 1998, and it became a reality through the collaborative efforts of Memorial Hospital and the South Bend Community School Corporation. The program began by focusing on three (3) dimensions: • That intervention must offer alternatives where there are options for boys so that they see that they can make choices regarding their future • That intervention must be relevant to experience so that boys can see that there is proof of what can be done • That intervention must empower to enable critical goal setting, conflict - resolution and learning self - awareness so that a boy may change "from a victim of circumstances to an agent of change in his own life "; and e, the Common Council further notes that the Voyages Program is committed to making a difference in the lives of African- American boys by providing structure and supervision through role models who teach the skills, values and attitudes necessary to be successful in a highly technological society; and e, the Voyages Program focuses on building self - confidence; promotes a positive self -image and self - concept through academic achievement and by exposing African- American boys to the many positive aspects of their culture; and some of the many initiatives carried out by the Voyages Program included their "Overcoming Challenges" 4 -week Summer program in 2012 for 3`a and 51h grade boys, which focused on improving their reading, writing and math skills, as well as dealing with problems in positive ways; with Memorial Hospital providing free breakfast and lunch for the participants. Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, publicly thanks and honors Ray L. Turner, the creator and director of the Voyages Program, and the collaborative efforts of Memorial Hospital and the South Bend Community School Corporation for their support and realizing that "...as one voyage ends, another begins ". Section II. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect K4 an4*er its adoption by the Council Committee l� of hairpe on. Dr. Treed- Ferlic, 4" District Dr.-Davff A. Varner, 5" District . 1 1 John Voorde, City Clerk Derek D. Dieter, At Large; Vice - President Gavin erlic, At Large Comber k`hren L. White, At Large Council Member Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Council Attorney wlw- —MTa-rk Neal, Deputy Mayor of South Bend, IN